Monday, 16 July 2012

The Effects And Implications Of Six Different Ergogenic Aids Used For Exercise And Sports Performance

Ergogenic aids

Ergogenic Aids are any external influences which can positively
affect physical or mental performance.

These include mechanical aids, pharmacological aids, physiological
aids, nutritional aids, and psychological aids. Ergogenic aids may directly
influence the physiological capacity of a particular body system and reduce
physiological constraints, thus improving performance. They may also speed up
recovery after training or competition.

The rewards for winning are so great that athletes feel they need
an advantage. They may be tempted to use them to speed recovery from injury. They
may believe that ‘everybody else is doing it’. They lack the physical and
psychological attributes to get to the top without the use of an ergogenic aid.
They may not be aware that they are actually using an aid, as control over
their substances may be given to their coach.

Anabolic steroids

Steroids can be taken either orally or by injection and are used
in a cyclical pattern with 6-12 weeks of heavy use followed by periods of
between 1 and 12 months drug-free. During the heavy use period a pyramid system
is usually followed where a gradual increase in daily dose reaches a peak and
is then reversed. However lately other methods of delivery have been used,
including tablets, nasal sprays, skin patches, and creams.

Anabolic steroids are Class C drugs to
be sold only by pharmacists with a doctor's prescription. It's legal to possess
or import steroids as long as they're in the form of a medicinal product for
personal use. But possession or importing with intent to supply is illegal and
could lead to 14 years in prison and an unlimited fine.

Many sporting organisations have banned
the use of certain steroids. These organisations carry out tests for the banned
steroids. If someone tests positive they can be disqualified from competing for
certain periods of time, or even banned for life

Anabolic
Steroids have been used as a hormone replacement to treat things such as HIV,
severe cases of osteoporosis, muscular dystrophy, delayed puberty,
Angioneurotic edema, which is the swelling in the deep layers of the skin,
often due to the body mistakenly initiating an allergic reaction, some forms of
anemia, Hypogonadism, which is the defect of function of the testes or ovaries
and Klinefelter’s syndrome, which is also known as XXY syndrome, where a male
has an additional X chromosome. This results in reduced fertility

Steroids are most commonly used by
athletes involved in power sports, these are sports like throwing and sprinting
events and weight lifting. Field sports such as American Football and Rugby have
also shown a high use of anabolic steroids and also body builders have a high
use of steroids. The benefits of using anabolic steroids are an increased bulk
in muscle, increased muscle strength, faster muscle recovery and reduced muscle
catabolism which is the breakdown of muscle following intense exercise. This
aids recovery and muscle development.

Side effects from the use of steroids are extremely
common. Most side effects are reversible once the athlete stops using them,
although serious long term side effects and even death have occurred as a
direct result of steroid use. Some of the side effects are decreased sperm
production and sex drive, increased aggression and mood swings, liver
disorders, acne, baldness, high blood pressure, raised cholesterol, menstrual irregularities (in women),
deepening of the voice, reduced immunity, possible development of tumours,
Hirsuitism, which is excessive hair growth occurring in females which follows
the pattern of male hair growth. Gynecomastia which is the development of
over-sized mammary glands in males. For adolescent athletes, steroid
use may cause the growth plates in long bones to close faster than usual, which
can result in reduced height.

If steroids are over used it
can cause heart, liver, and immune system problems. Blood cholesterol levels
often increase because steroid use changes how sugars and fats are handled.
This and increased blood pressure can lead to the early development of heart
disease, which can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Tendons and ligamentsmay
not strengthen at the same rate the muscle tissue develops. As a result, these
tissues appear to be injured more often among steroid users.

Growth hormone

Human Growth hormone is also sometimes known as somatotrophic
hormone or somatotrophin. It is produced by the pituitary gland and is
essential for normal growth and development. The growth hormone is anabolic,
meaning it accelerates protein synthesis and also aids the metabolism of fat
stores.

The uses of human growth hormone are limited in a medical setting.
They are used for Dwarfism and replacement therapy in
growth-deficient children, kidney failure, Turner's syndrome which is
a chromosomal condition where the second X sex chromosome in females is either
absent or deformed. This causes growth and development problems and

HIV

Human growth hormone can effect in performance. Athletes involved
in powerful, strength demanding sports and events like American football weight
lifting, rugby and body building are most likely to use human growth hormone
due to its anabolic effect. It can increase muscle mass, decrease fat stores
and accelerate muscle recover.

However many small studies have shown no increases in muscle size
or strength following injection with human growth hormone. So body-builders and
weight-lifters tend to combine growth hormone and anabolic
steroids.

Side effects of Human Growth Hormone can be very serious. These
includecardiac failure, Arthritis,
Diabetes, impotence, Gigantismin younger athletes which refers to
abnormally excessive growth in height, considerably above average, Acromegaly
in adult athletes which is a condition where the pituitary gland produces too
much human growth hormone resulting in the growth and swelling of body parts,
typically hands, feet, nose but can progress to brow and jaw protrusion and
swelling of internal organs, Hypothyroidism which islow production of the thyroid hormone which disrupts metabolic
rate and protein production, Cardiomyopathy which is a disease of the cardiac
muscle, increasing the risk of arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death, Hypercholesterolemia
which is presence of high levels of cholesterol in the blood, Ischemic
heart disease which is a lack of blood to the heart often due
to coronary artery disease, Myopathies which is neuromuscular diseases
affecting the function of muscle
fibres, Osteoporosis and Menstrual irregularities
in women

Creatine

Creatine is both made by the body from the amino acids arginine,
glycine and methionine and gained from the diet. It occurs naturally in meats
and fish. An athlete who is a big meat eater may have in his muscle five grams
of creatine per kilogram of muscle, which is near the upper limit. This same
athlete must take in approximately 2.5g of creatine per day to replace the
natural degradation of creatine that takes place each day.

Creatine supplements are used by athletes, bodybuilders, wrestlers, sprinters,
and others who wish to gain muscle mass, typically consuming 2 to 3 times the
amount that could be obtained from a very high protein diet. The Mayo
Clinic states that creatine has been associated with asthmatic symptoms
and warns against consumption by persons with known allergies.

Creatine
supplementation was known to affect hydration status and heat tolerance and
lead to muscle cramping and diarrhea, recent studies have shown these concerns
to be unfounded. There are reports of
kidney damage with creatine use, such as interstitial nephritis; patients with
kidney disease should avoid use of this supplement. liver function may be
altered, and caution is advised in those with underlying liver disease although
studies have shown no impact on kidney or liver function from oral creatine
supplementation. In 2004 the European Food Safety Authority
published a record which stated that oral long term intake of 3g pure creatine
per day is risk free. The reports of damage to the kidneys by creatine supplementation
have been scientifically refuted.

Caffeine

Caffeine
is a naturally occurring substance which is found in over 60 different plants. It
is the most commonly used drug in the world as it is found in coffee, tea,
chocolate and many carbonated and energy drinks. It is often used by athletes as a pre-workout stimulant and is found in
many products designed to aid in fat loss.

During periods of 30-120 minutes caffeine has been shown to produce
the following benefits improved muscle contractibility, increased time to exhaustion,
improved concentration, Enhanced alertness, reduced fatigue In the short-term
under 30 minutes caffeine can have a detrimental effect on some aspects of
performance, for example fine motor control and technique due to over arousal.

The side effects to caffeine are abdominal pain, diarrhoea, dehydration,
restlessness, anxiety and irritability, headaches, high blood pressure, interference
with recovery and sleep patterns, palpitations and increased muscle tension.

Blood doping

Artificial Oxygen carriers are the only form of blood doping which
have a medical use. They were developed for use in emergencies when there is no
time for determining and cross matching a patient’s blood type for transfusion,
when there is a high risk of infection, or when no blood is available.

Blood doping is most commonly used by endurance athletes, such as
distance runners, skiers and cyclists. By increasing the number of red blood
cells within the blood, higher volumes of the protein haemoglobin
are present. Haemoglobin binds to and carries Oxygen from the lungs, to the
muscles where it can be used for aerobic
respiration. Blood doping therefore allows extra Oxygen to be transported to
the working muscles, resulting in a higher level of performance, without the
use of the anaerobic
energy systems.
Studies have shown that blood doping can improve the performance
of endurance athletes.

The side effects of blood doping and which can occur in any form
of blood doping are increased blood viscosity which is thickness of the blood,
heart attack, Pulmonary embolism which is a blockage, which can be fat, air or
a blood clot, of the pulmonary artery, Cerebral embolism which is a blockage
formed elsewhere in the body, which becomes lodged in an artery within or
leading to the brain, stroke, infections, homologous transfusions are prone to
further side effects, allergic reaction, risk of blood-borne diseases hepatitis
C, B and HIV.

Altitude training

At
altitude there is reduced air resistance suggesting an advantage in activities
involving speed like sprints. The force of gravity is reduced suggesting an
advantage where relative and maximum strength is critical. Some of the immediate effects of exposure to
altitude are increased breathing rate, increased heart rate, giddiness, nausea,
headache, sleeplessness and decrease in VO2 max.

For
every 300 metres above 1000 metres VO2max decreases
by approximately 2.6%. The total effect of these adjustments is a reduction of
work capacity.

The
long term effects of continued
exposure to altitude include are increased erythrocyte volume, increased
haemoglobin volume and concentration, increased blood viscosity, increased
capillarisation, continued lower V02max, decreased lactic acid
tolerance and reduced stroke volume. For short term training at altitude drawbacks such as are poor
facilities, strange diet, different surroundings and homesickness. On return
from altitude training performances at sea level appear to peak between the
19th and 21st day and then again between 36 days and 48 days performance
improves.

Data
collected from a variety of elite endurance athletes from a variety of sports
have shown that training at altitudes between 1.8km and 3km promotes
improvement in endurance based activities made at sea level. At these
altitudes, it can take an athlete up to three weeks to acclimatise.

Glycogen loading

Glycogen loading is also known as carbohydrate
loading. Carbohydrate loading is a fuelling strategy designed to extend
endurance in athletes.

If you are exercising at a steady pace and
intensity, carbohydrate loading will increase your endurance by about 20%. If
you typically can run 20 miles before exhaustion, with glycogen stores you may
be able to extend that to 24 miles. If you take part in an event like a cycling
race or a marathon, carbohydrate loading may improve your time by 2-3%.

Carbohydrate loading should be considered for
competitive endurance events that last for 90 minutes or more. Because this is
about the length of time it takes for typical stores of muscle glycogen to
begin to run low. For events shorter than this, and especially for sprinting
events, glycogen depletion isn't really a fatigue factor, and so carbohydrate
loading doesn’t improve your performance for this sport.

Soccer, basketball, hockey, and football are all
examples of team sports where the exercise is often high intensity and the
length of the sports can exceed 90 minutes. These sports can burn glycogen at a
high rate, and if played long enough, can result in muscle glycogen depletion
and fatigue. Performance could potentially be improved by muscle glycogen
stores. However the benefit will likely vary based on the position you play.
For example point guards in basketball or running backs in football are more
likely to deplete muscle glycogen stores, and may benefit more from
carbohydrate loading than other positions in these sports.

Beta blockers

Beta-blockers
used to treat high blood pressure, angina which is chest pain caused by restricted
blood flow to the heart, heart failure which is where the heart does not pump
blood around the body effectively, atrial fibrillation which is a irregular
heartbeat and heart attacks. Less commonly, beta-blockers are used to prevent migraines,
treat overactive thyroid, treat anxiety conditions, treat tremor, and treat
glaucoma

There
are several types of beta-blocker and each has its own characteristics. The
type prescribed for you will depend on your condition. They are all equally
effective.

Beta-blockers
work by blocking the release of noradrenaline in certain parts of the body.

Noradrenaline
is a chemical released by nerves when they are stimulated. The noradrenaline
passes messages to other parts of the body, such as the muscles, blood vessels
and heart.

This
means that beta-blockers can decrease the activity of your heart. Beta
blockers decrease anxiety, have a positive effect on fine motor control but a
negative effect on aerobic capacity.

Amphetamines usually come in a powder
form or tablets. The powder has often been heavily mixed with other powders
such as glucose, baby milk, laxatives or other drugs, and its purity may be
low. Amphetamines may be known as speed, uppers, dexies, whizzes or billy
whizz, whites, and many other names. A similar but more powerful type of the
drug is methamphetamine, often known as crystal meth in its powder form or
glass and ice in its crystal form.

Amphetamines are usually taken by
snorting the powder into the nose, rubbing it on the gums or swallowing the
tablets. As base has an unpleasant taste it may be wrapped in a cigarette paper
and swallowed, this is known as a speed bomb. Some users inject the drug.
Methamphetamine crystals may be smoked, using a glass pipe.

Amphetamines are a Class B illegal drug
but Class A if prepared for injection with severe penalties for possession and
sale.

Amphetamines increase levels of
the neurotransmitters dopamine and noradrenaline in the brain, and prevent
these chemicals from being recycled. This leads to their stimulant effects,
making people feel more lively, awake, energetic and confident. Improved focus,
concentration and wakefulness mean they are still useful treatments for
narcolepsy or hyperactivity. The drug will be more intense if injected and
ability to stay awake for hours without feeling tired.

The drugs have powerful physical
effects too increasing breathing, heart rate and temperature, dilating the
pupils and suppressing the appetite. When amphetamines are snorted they produce
effects within three to twenty minutes with effects lasting for up to about
eight hours. As the drug wears off, the person may become anxious, irritable
and restless, but even when they feel desperate for sleep the drug may continue
to keep them awake. Finally, exhaustion and often intense mood swings kick in.

The physical effects can be particularly
dangerous if someone has pre existing problems with their heart or blood
pressure with palpitations and a risk of abnormal heart rhythms and even a
heart attack. There may also be low blood pressure, nausea, headache, twitching
and tremor. In the long term, convulsions, coma and even death can occur.
Amphetamines are particularly risky if taken with alcohol, and those who inject
the drugs are at risk of infections such as HIV or hepatitis if they share
needles.

“Steroids
can be taken either orally or by injection and are used in a cyclical pattern
with 6-12 weeks of heavy use followed by periods of between 1 and 12 months
drug-free. During the heavy use period a pyramid system is usually followed
where a gradual increase in daily dose reaches a peak and is then reversed.
However lately other methods of delivery have been used, including tablets,
nasal sprays, skin patches, and creams.” This shows
anabolic steroids can be taken by injection or orally and that they have to be
used in a cycle pattern, where they are used heavily for 6 to 12 weeks which
are then followed by periods of between 1 and 12 months drug free. It shows
that during the heavy period a pyramid system is followed where there is a
gradual increase in daily dose which reaches a peak and is then reversed. It
also shows that in recent times different methods have been used like tablets,
nasal sprays, skin patches and cream.

“Steroids are most commonly used by athletes
involved in power sports, these are sports like throwing and sprinting events
and weight lifting. Field sports such as American Football and Rugby have also
shown a high use of anabolic steroids and also body builders have a high use of
steroids. The benefits of using anabolic steroids are an increased bulk in
muscle, increased muscle strength, faster muscle recovery and reduced muscle
catabolism which is the breakdown of muscle following intense exercise. This
aids recovery and muscle development.” This shows steroids are most commonly used by
athletes that are involved in sports that power, strength and speed is
important which include sports like throwing and sprinting events and weight
lifting. It shows the benefits of steroids are that it increases muscle bulk,
strength and helps you recover much faster.

“Anabolic steroids are Class C drugs to be sold
only by pharmacists with a doctor's prescription. It's legal to possess or
import steroids as long as they're in the form of a medicinal product for
personal use. But possession or importing with intent to supply (which includes
giving them to friends) is illegal and could lead to 14 years in prison and an
unlimited fine.” This shows steroids are a class c drug
that can only be sold by pharmacists with a doctor’s prescription. It shows
that steroids are illegal if their you’re in your possession with the intent to
supply.

“Many sporting organisations have banned the use of
certain steroids. These organisations carry out tests for the banned steroids.
If someone tests positive they can be disqualified from competing for certain
periods of time, or even banned for life” this shows that a lot of sporting organisations have banned the use of
steroids, the organisations carry out tests for the banned steroids and if
someone is test positive that can be disqualified from competing for certain
periods of time or banned for life.

“Human
growth hormone can effect in performance. Athletes involved in powerful,
strength demanding sports and events like American football weight lifting,
rugby and body building are most likely to use human growth hormone due to its
anabolic effect. It can increase muscle mass, decrease fat stores and
accelerate muscle recover.” This shows that human growth
hormone can effect performance and that athletes involved in sports that
involve power and strength are more likely to use human growth hormone due to
its anabolic effect. It shows that human growth hormone can increase muscle
mass, decrease fat stores and accelerate muscle recover.

“However
many small studies have shown no increases in muscle size or strength following
injection with human growth hormone. So body-builders and weight-lifters tend
to combine growth hormone and anabolic
steroids.” This shows that many small studies have shown no increase in
muscle size or strength following injection with human growth hormone. It shows
that body builders and weight lifters tend to combine the human growth hormone
with anabolic steroids.

“Creatine is both made by the body
from the amino acids arginine, glycine and methionine and gained from the diet.
It occurs naturally in meats and fish. An athlete who is a big meat eater may
have in his muscle five grams of creatine per kilogram of muscle, which is near
the upper limit. This same athlete must take in approximately 2.5g of creatine
per day to replace the natural degradation of creatine that takes place each
day.” This shows that creatine is made up form amino acids and gained
from your diet. It shows that creatine is naturally in meats and fish and shows
that big meat eaters may have five grams of creatine per kilogram of muscle
which is near the upper limit. However this same athlete must take in 2.5g
creatine per day to replace the natural degradation of creratine that takes
place each day.

“If you were to survey athletes
you would find that there would be a wide variation in creatine content with
some athletes having as little as three grams per kilogram of muscle,
especially vegetarians and those people who are less active in sport. Those
with low creatine content may be at a disadvantage since creatine has been
described as the oil of the muscle engine that makes the muscle work more
efficiently. Since very few athletes are at the top end of the scale
(4.5-5g/kg) supplementation will help to increase the creatine content in the
muscles.” This shows that a lot of athletes don’t get enough creatine and
vegetarians and people who are less active will also have a lower level of
creatine. It also shows that athletes with a low calorie count may be at
disadvantage since creatine has been described as the oil of the muscle engine
that makes the muscle work more efficiently.

“Creatine
Ethyl Ester is a new form of creatine, marketed as being superior to creatine
monohydrate. Although this is not proven, it seems to cause less bloating, and
be more tolerable for some people.” This
shows that creatine ethyl ester is a new form of creatine and is marketed as
being superior to creatine monohydrate however this is not proven. It shows
that this type of creatine is seemed to cause less bloating and be more
tolerable for some people.

“Up
until 2004 caffeine was on the prohibited substances list, with athletes being
limited to a urine level below 12 micrograms per millilitre. This is equivalent
to 6-8 cups of coffee (600-800mg). Performance enhancing effects have since
been proven at a much lower intake, between 2-4 cups of coffee (200-400mg).” This
shows up until 2004 caffeine was on the prohibited substances list, with athletes
being limited to a urine level below 12 micrograms per millilitre, this
equivalent to 6-8 cups of coffee. It also shows performance enhancing effects
have since been proven at a much lower intake, between 2-4 cups of coffee.

“WADA
(World Anti-Doping Agency) are currently monitoring the usage of caffeine by
athletes, as it has been suggested that since it was removed from the
prohibited list, its use has dramatically increased. If this is the case, WADA
must decide whether to reinstate the ban and if the permitted threshold should
be lowered. Of course the other option is to put a complete ban on the use of
caffeine, this would however be impossible due to caffeine staying in the
system up to 48 hours. Therefore an athlete would not be able to have a cup of
coffee or an energy drink within 48 hours of a competition. Random drug testing
makes this even less feasible.” This shows that WADA are currently
monitoring the usage of caffeine by athletes as it has been suggested that
since it was removed from the prohibited list its used has increased a lot. It
also shows that WADA could bring the ban back into place and also shows that a
complete ban cannot be placed because a athlete will not be able to have a
energy drink within 48 hours of a completion because caffeine stays in the
system for that long.

“During
periods of 30-120 minutes caffeine has been shown to produce the following
benefits improved muscle contractibility, increased time to exhaustion,
improved concentration, Enhanced alertness, reduced fatigue. In the short-term
under 30 minutes caffeine can have a detrimental effect on some aspects of
performance, for example fine motor control and technique due to over arousal.”
This shows that during 30 and 120 minutes caffeine improves muscle
contractions, increased time to exhaustion, improved concentration, enhanced
alertness, reduced fatigue. It also shows that in short term under 20 minutes
caffeine can have an effect performance for example fine motor control and
technique due to over arousal.

“Blood
doping is defined by WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) as the
misuse of techniques and/or substances to increases ones red blood cell count.
Most commonly this involves the removal of two units (approximately 2 pints!)
of the athletes blood several weeks prior to
competition. The blood is then frozen until 1-2 days before the competition,
when it is thawed and injected back into the athlete. This is known as
autologous blood doping. Homologous doping is the injection of fresh blood,
removed from a second person, straight into the athlete.” This
shows that blood doping is defined as WADA as the misuse of techniques and
substances to increase a person red blood cell count. This involves the removal
of two pints of an athlete’s blood several weeks prior to competition. This
also shows the blood is then frozen until 1 or 2 days before the competition
when it is thawed and injected back into the athlete. This is known as
autologous blood doping. It also shows homologous doping is injected of fresh
blood removed from a second person straight into an athlete.

“A
second method of blood doping involves the use of artificial
oxygen carriers. Hemoglobin oxygen carriers (HBOC's) and
Perfluorocarbons (PFC's) are chemicals or purified proteins which have the
ability to carry oxygen. They have been developed for therapeutic use, however
are now being misused as performance enhancer's.” This
shows a second method of blood doping involves the use of artificial oxygen
carriers. It also shows that haemoglobin oxygen carries and perfluorocarbons
are chemicals or purified proteins which have the ability to carry oxygen also
they have been developed for therapeutic use, however are now being misused as
performance enhancers.

“Tests were introduced in 2004 which are
capable of detecting the use of homologous transfusions and the use of
artificial oxygen carriers. Although a suitable test has not yet been developed
to detect autologous blood doping.” This shows that tests were
introduced in 2004 which were cable of detecting the use of homologous
transfusions and the use of artificial oxygen carriers. It always shows that a
suitable test has not been developed to detect autologous blood doping.

“After
the development of EPO, the use of blood doping fell
considerably, however since the development of a test for EPO detection and the
lack of testing for autologous doping, it is again on the rise.” This
shows that after the development of EPO the use of by blood doping fell
considerably. However it also shows that since that development of a test for
EPO detection and the lack of testing for autologous doping it is now rising
again.

“The
practice of blood doping involved athletes taking a certain amount of blood out
of their systems, and then, later, when their bodies had made up for the blood
taken out, injected back into their systems after the blood being kept in a
refrigerated state in the meantime. This practice would increase red blood cell
count allowing blood doping to improve performance in sports requiring high
levels of aerobic activity. It was a dangerous practice though and risks of
infection and heart trouble were relatively high, as well as very inconvenient
having to keep the blood stored in a fridge. In the modern era blood doping has
largely been replaced by the use of the drug Erythropoietin (EPO).”

“For every 300 metres above 1000
metres VO2max
decreases by
approximately 2.6%. The total effect of these adjustments is a reduction of
work capacity.” This shows for every 300 meters above 1000 meters V02max decreases
by approximately 2.6% the total effect of the adjustments is a reduction of
work capacity.

“Data collected from a variety of
elite endurance athletes from a variety of sports have shown that training at
altitudes between 1.8km and 3km promotes improvement in endurance based
activities made at sea level. At these altitudes, it can take an athlete up to
three weeks to acclimatise.” This shows that data was collected
by a variety of athletes from a variety of sports and has shows that training
at altitudes between 1.8km and 3km promotes improvement in endurance based
activities made at sea level. It shows at altitudes it can take an athlete up
to three weeks to acclimatise.

“High altitude may result in a
drop of your VO2max. The magnitude of this decline is
approx. 5 to 7% per 1000 metres (Bernhard 1978). To overcome this effect a
"live high train low" model was developed where athletes slept at an
altitude of 2500 metres but trained at sea level (Levine 1991).” This
shows that high altitude may result in a drop of your VO2max. It shows that the
magnitude of this decline is approx 5 to 7% per 1000 meters. It shows to
overcome this effect a live high train low model was developed where athletes
slept at an altitude of 2500 meters but trained at sea level.

“Beta-blockers used to treat high
blood pressure, angina which is chest pain caused by restricted blood flow to
the heart, heart failure which is where the heart does not pump blood around
the body effectively, atrial fibrillation which is a irregular heartbeat and
heart attacks. Less commonly, beta-blockers are used to prevent migraines,
treat overactive thyroid, treat anxiety conditions, treat tremor, and treat
glaucoma

There are several types of
beta-blocker and each has its own characteristics. The type prescribed for you
will depend on your condition. They are all equally effective.” This
shows beta blockers are used to treat high blood pressure, angina, heart
failure, atrial fibrillation and heart attacks. It also shows that less
commonly beta blockers are used to prevent migraines, overactive thyroid,
anxiety conditions, tremors and glaucoma. It also shows that there are several
types of beta blocker and each has its own characteristics.

“Beta-blockers work by blocking
the release of noradrenaline in certain parts of the body.

Noradrenaline is a chemical
released by nerves when they are stimulated. The noradrenaline passes messages
to other parts of the body, such as the muscles, blood vessels and heart.

This means that beta-blockers
can decrease the activity of your heart. Beta blockers decrease anxiety, have a
positive effect on fine motor control but a negative effect on aerobic
capacity.” This shows that beta blockers work by blocking the release of
noradrenalinein certain parts of the body. it shows that the noradrenalinein
passes messages to other body parts of the body like the muscles, blood vessels
and heart. It shows that beta blockers can decrease the activity of your heart
can decrease anxiety and have a positive effect on fine motor control but a
negative effect on aerobic capacity.

“Amphetamines are powerful central
nervous stimulants which have been abused widely in the past to boost athletic
performance. However, they can increase body temperature and cause dehydration and were linked to the deaths of
athletes such as Tommy Simpson, a cyclist from Great Britain. They are a
controlled drug and banned by all international sporting bodies.” This
shows that amphetamines are very powerful central nervous stimulants which have
been abused widely in the past to athletic performance. It shows they can
increase body temperature and cause dehydration and were linked to deaths of
athletes. It shows that amphetamines are a controlled drug and banned by all
international sporting bodies.

“Glycogen
is stored in muscle with water. That means that if you've effectively
supercompensated, you'll be a bit heavier because of the extra water you're
carrying. Full glycogen loading can lead to an increase in body weight of
around 4 lbs (2 kg). But don't worry, the weight gain is temporary — it will
only last as long as glycogen stores are supercompensated. That said, give some
thought to whether an increase in body weight will put you at a disadvantage
during competition.” This shows that
glycogen is stored in muscle with water which means that you will put on a bit
of weight but the weight gained is only temporary it will only last as long as
the glycogen stores are supercompensated.

“If the time between when you complete
carbohydrate loading and your competition is a few days, not to worry, your
stores will remain supercompensated as long as you continue to eat a
high-carbohydrate diet and you rest or engage in no more than light training.
In fact, elevated storage levels can be maintained for as long as five days,
although a detraining effect is likely to occur if you miss training for this
long. The key point is that if a solid day or two of travel is needed to get
you to your event venue, and during that time access to extra carbohydrates
will be limited, you can complete your carbohydrate loading the day before
travel and not lose any of the performance benefit.” This shows that your glycogen stores will remain
supercompensated as long as you eat a high carbohydrate diet and you rest or
engage in more than light training. Also elevated storage levels can be
maintained for as long as five days.

“Investigations at the University
of Nottingham show that five days of creatine supplementation can boost muscle
power and performance during intense strength training (Unknown 1993). In the
Nottingham study, 12 athletes carried out five bouts of 30 maximal contractions
of the quadriceps muscles before and after five days of placebo or creatine
ingestion. The creatine was consumed in five-gram doses, four times per day (20
grams total per day). After the five days, the placebo-group athletes achieved
no gains in muscle power, but creatine ingesters boosted muscle strength
considerably during all five bouts of exercise.” This
shows that five days of creatine supplementation can boost muscle power and
performance during intense strength training. It also shows that creatine was
tested on by 12 athletes after five days the athletes gained no muscle power
but creatine boosted muscle strength considerably during all five bouts of
exercise.

“Soccer,
basketball, hockey, and football are all examples of team sports where the
exercise is often high intensity and the length of the sports can exceed 90
minutes. These sports can burn glycogen at a high rate, and if played long
enough, can result in muscle glycogen depletion and fatigue. Performance could
potentially be improved by muscle glycogen stores. However the benefit will
likely vary based on the position you play. For example point guards in
basketball or running backs in football are more likely to deplete muscle
glycogen stores, and may benefit more from carbohydrate loading than other
positions in these sports” This shows that
soccer, basket ball, hockey and football are team sports where glycogen can be
burned at a high rate, so performance could be improved by glycogen stores. It
also shows that the position you play will play a part in how effective
glycogen stores are.